Shoes for Running in

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Pearl

Trainers are in fashion. Ok well trainers have always been in fashion to numerous different people at any one time, however trainers are now in Vogue kinda fashion. There are Pinterest boards worldwide dedicated to them, preferably worn with a perfect cropped trouser to show off that lithe ankle and something from Celine. Regardless of all this trendy stuff going on I was more than happy with my muddy old trainers for the occasional gym visit but mostly being dragged around the park with a dog. I had zero interest in trainers, in fact any form of flat shoe. Then I find myself having to hike up yet another hill which I swear was at a 90 degree angle! Everyday I have to do this now working in Sheffield and so I caved in, I went and got myself a pair of trainers, but of course they had to be fashion trainers, right. The fashion bloggers have spoken and it seems the Nike Free trainers have been deemed the trainer of choice, not knowing much about trainers in general I went with the general consensus and opted for a pair. I chose these Nike Free 3.0 V5 from Spartoo as I liked the black mottled design and the ultraviolet highlights. But I really liked the turquoise and the pink Internationalist too, it was a tough choice.┬áWhat I was even more overjoyed with was the retro bright red shoe box they came in, taking me back to my youth in the 90s and my Nike Pegasus, sigh. They feel very peculiar at first, unlike a regular trainer the Free is more like a wet-suit sock which can be tricky to wriggle your foot into, but once on they are super comfy. I’ve been wearing mine all day and no rubbing as they hug your foot. The soles are unusual too, they are cross-hatched so that your foot can flex in more ways, making for a great feeling when your feet pound the pavements. One note on the sizing, the 38 equivalent is actually a UK4.5 so consider half sizing up if you don’t like your trainers to fit super tight. I thought I was ordering a UK5, as such they 4.5 fit just fine but I couldn’t get a thick pair of socks on with them. Will I be wearing trainers as a fashion item? No, I kick them off and back on with the heels as soon as I get to the office, but for running up hills they are just the ticket.

Pharrell Williams Grammy Hat

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Pearl

Being the font of all Westwood knowledge I’ve had a few questions regarding Pharrell Williams choice of head-gear for last nights Grammy awards. I can confirm it is a Vivienne Westwood Worlds End Mountain hat which he has worn on numerous other occasions. These hats were a fundamental element of the Buffalo look which originated in the Westwood-McLaren Nostalgia of Mud collection AW1982-83 and have graced the heads of those ballsy enough to wear them ever since. Pharrell gets extra cool points for his leather Adidas 3-stripe red leather jacket – I feel like I need one in my life! My girl Lauran already wrote a detailed post about Pharrells hat so do check it out. Purchased details can be made via the Worlds End blog / shop, the hats cost a very reasonable ┬ú85 and are still hand made in England.

┬áOne of the many Pharell’s hat memes, this one made me chuckle

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Malcolm McLaren and the original Buffalo girls (and boys)

(Pharell Williams images via HollywoodReporter)

New Job, New City, New Shoes

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Pearl

I’ve got myself a new job, yay! Its a 2.5hr door to door commute, boo! It was one of those situations that don’t come along all too often, the dream job scenario, the 10+ years of university finally paying off type scenarios. I had the interview and started my first day all within a week, to say the 1.5hr expected commute turning out to be an hour longer and getting up the wrong side of 6am has all been a bit of a shock to the system. I am still not sure if I will be moving to Sheffield, does anybody ever get used to such crazy commutes? Or perhaps I will earn a loyalty bonus at the local Travel Inn? But I have an amazing job researching sustainable fashion with two renowned universities which I couldn’t be happier about. My shoes however are protesting, Sheffield it seems is rather hilly and extremely wet at the moment. In one week I have managed to destroy two pairs of shoes and one pair of trousers – I promise I am not usually this accident prone! Luckily trainers are having a bit of a come-back so I have ordered myself a pair for trekking up those hills and no doubt by the end of another week my office bookcase will contain more shoes than books – you know that’s how I roll. I just need to find out where the local bloggers hang out and I am sure I will settle in fine, oh that and locate a full length selfie mirror, I swear not one in the building, I will have to have words. Oh one more thing, lets pray it doesn’t snow!

Cry Babies

Beauty: Empties & Rebuys

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Pearl

A favourite blog post theme for beauty bloggers is ’empties and rebuys’, products that have been used up and those that have been bought again and again. I ended up at that stage where everything runs out all at once and have had to stock up on a fair few products so thought I would share my empties pile.

Make-Up staples:

SmashBox primer; Bobbi Brown Long wear foundation, Creamy concealer and Retouching powder are my make up basics. This will be my third rebuy of them all since I started using them about 18 months ago, they are all really great working products that last a good while. The version of Smashbox Primer I use is the SPF Orange one which is actually recommended for older skin however I find this one works better than the original version. The Retouching powder is ultra fine and leaves the skin looking airbrushed, its a tiny pot for the ┬ú25 but you only need a tiny bit and the result is so much better than a regular finishing powder which I can find too heavy and a bit dull. I usually buy the Concealer Duo which has the cream and powder, however have found I use a lot less of the powder so just went for the single this time.

I don’t like to go anywhere without a bright red lip and Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood has been my favourite, however after hearing the Lime Crime Velvetines hype I gave their Red Velvet a go. I have to admit I was so impressed, this stuff does not budge and my Old Hollywood hasn’t been picked up since. I have just bought the Suedeberry Velvetines to try which is a lighter, more orangey-red, will do a full review soon.

Skin care basics:

Clarins Beauty Flash balm is another much hyped product, I have to agree with its rave reviews. I use it when my skin is feeling a bit dull either as a mask, over moisturiser or as a primer for the perfect skin pick me up. I have reviewed MayLash before on the blog, it is an eyelash serum which you apply at night. This is a real WOW product for me, it has made my skinny lashes, longer, darker and thicker as well as conditioned. I always have a collection of hand creams and L’Occitane ones come in handy little tubes. The Date was my absolute favourite but sadly they don’t make it any more, I’ve tried other and haven’t been as impressed to be honest, they are nice but there isn’t one I would rebuy besides the Date. Sally Hanson nail care products are old favourites, I buy the all in one base and top coat all the time, its a great all rounder. Lush Honey Trap lip balm is just fantastic, I’ve tried the Creme de la Mer one and much prefer this. Its a great formula with a hint of honey and mint, it also doubles as a cuticle balm. E45 Intensive Recovery cream comes in one ugly ass bottle, I throw it in a draw rather than have it deface my dressing table, however its what’s inside that counts. This is the best body moisturiser in the world! Well so far as I have tried, it leaves even the roughest skin soft and velvety. If they put it in fancy looking pots I’m sure they could charge ┬ú100 a go!

Fragrance:

Vivienne Westwood Boudoir, I keep a stock pile as it is one I never tired of. I can’t imagine how many bottles I must have gone through in my life! Chanel Jersey is my other favourite and I have found it overtaking Boudoir on a day to day basis, but I think they will both be at the top of my list for a good while yet.

That’s it, my ultimate everyday staples!

Vivienne Westwood MAN AW14 – Full Catwalk Collection

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Pearl

“Fracking is the Big Fight.”

“In England we must all challenge the irresponsible behaviour of our governments who are trying to force fracking upon us with no consideration of alternatives.

The public must be informed.

One thing is sure: At this point in time we must think before we rush into further action to fracture our Earth.”

This was the message behind the Vivienne Westwood MAN collection for AW14-15, no wonder the looks sent down the runway were made for fighting the Climate Revolution.

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A Thought on Shoe Scuffs

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Pearl

I have the tendency to have one favourite pair of shoes, I wear them and wear them until they are close to falling to pieces. Here are my most recent favourites, the red ones my last victim. Sorting out shoes for a trip to the cobblers, I started thinking about all the nicks and scuffs on my shoes. Where I might have been, what I was doing when the wounds occurred. The stories they might tell. Some I remember, others unaware. My left shoe always needs reheeling before the right, as I carry my bag on that arm and it is always over stuffed and far too heavy. I think there is something so personal about shoes, the way they mould to your feet and can alter the way you walk, act, think. To end a wistful quote from a Vogue article I recently read ‘What would life have looked like had I walked in different shoes? Would I have fallen for different men?’ Rather intriguing, don’t you think.

What Pearl Wore 2013

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Pearl

So many outfits, so little time! I counted 56 outfit posts on the blog this year, that’s just over one per week not bad going. Will 2014 see more? We shall have to see, one selfie mirror much needed. Here are a few of my favourites, you can see the rest in my Facebook album What Pearl Wore 2013.

Here are the past four years round ups!

Monthly Archives: January 2014